Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-24
SAVED FROM RUIN.
A Good Daughter with Business
Head.

A Good Daughter with Business
Head.
Bee stole into the library one evening
in early spring, to have her usual
''quirt think" in the Sleepy-Hollow
chair on the rug before the fireplace.
A cheerful fire of dry pine cones
cracked and snapped merrily in the
early twilight, making the room very
inviting to the little dreamer, as she
cozily settled herself among the soft,
red cushions. and began to erect her
castle-in-the-air. She had just reached
the first turret in her building process,
when she was arrested by sigh from
the farther corner of the long room.
Now, as Bee had supposed that she was
the only occupant of the library, that
sigh startled her considerably, and
caused her pretty castle to fall to the
ground in sad confusion. She turned
her head from the recess of Sleepy
Hollow, and gazed in the direction
from whence the sigh had proceeded,
and seeing dark object Oh a PARKWAY
lounge, she quickly made her way
toward it, stumbling over the ruins of
her castle in her haste.
''Why papar' she cried. as she neared
the lounge. "YOu here? / thought l
was alone. What is the matter? You
are not ill, are you?"
Papa laughed, but there was some
thing wrong about the laugh. 1t
sounded as if there was sigh behind,
and Bees quick ear detected it at once.
mo, my dear" he replied. fondly
patting the rosy cheek laid against his.
I'm not i'll, only a trifle tired, and
somewhat worried"
Worried. papa? And what about?
Tell me. I'm a capital hand to drive
away Worries"
81 know you are, dear; but l am
afraid this worry is altogether too big
for my girl. for it surely is for me-"
and papa sighed again.
Bee curled up on the rug by his side,
and leaning her head against his hand,
said. coaxingly:
"Well, tell me about it, any way.
Perhaps you and together can scare it
away"
Her father smiled in spite of himself.
There was something so inspiring
about Bee and her CHEEKY voice. She
always brought sunshine with her, and
carried away gloom and sorrow.
"Why. Bee. you see," he began, in
explanation, ''these striking times are
beginning to affect business sadly.
Our expenses are heavy, sales slow and
light, and things are looking dark
ahead of us. We are obliged to keep
up. and especially to keep our goods in
order. which requires good help, as the
wares We deal in are delicate and re-
qure careful handling. l had hoped
we could get along without any inside
trouble. and perhaps weather it
through, but to-day our under book
keeper and three of our best and most
experienced clerks struck for higher
wages. We are paying all we can
afford to now, in fact more, according
to the business we are doing, and yet
we can not possibly get along without
these men. Altogether it is bad bust
ness. and l must confess, for the first
time in my life, see no way out of a
difficulty. l should like to be able to
tell these fellows to leave-the sooner
the better. That's what ought to he
done, but we are SO dependent upon
them that l can't do as want to, and
as it would be right to do. either. They
know we can't trust our goods to new
hands. so they take this base advantage
of u.s."
Bee thought a moment, when her
father stopped talking. and then ssid:
''What do these three clerks io?''
''They look after the fine glass and
tableware; keep it clean and properly
arranged. and show it to customer"
''And the under book-keeper?''
"He assists Banks in his Office work"
81 shouldn't think any of it was hard
or heavy work" and Bee gazed down
1t her white hands.
at isn't, only it is responsible work.
We don't dare trust new or careless
persons with it"
s'Yes, see"
''But never mind. Bee, don't you
worry about it. " and papa stopped over
20 kiss the thoughtful face.
We'll manage along some way, but
/ do hate to raise those fellows wage.